Small forest fire under control near Pemberton

Crew on site after lightning strike

Courtesy BC Wildfire ServiceA firefighter works at the Elcho fire last summer.

A small wildfire in the Rutherford area between Whistler and Pemberton that started Tuesday, July 26 due to a lightning strike is under control with about 19 firefighters on the scene.

Donna Macpherson, fire information officer with B.C. Wildfire Services Coastal Fire Centre, said Wednesday the fire started when slash and undergrowth ignited after a lightning strike. She said there is a crew on site, along with excavators. The fire was quickly spotted and reported Tuesday afternoon. Macpherson said there is also a temperature inversion in some areas of the Sea to Sky corridor which is causing some smoky areas. Macpherson said residents should not be alarmed as the inversion is expected to clear by about noon Wednesday.